General Information

A

Abstracts - Abstract submission is via the Internet and will be available from 1 February 2008.  The deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 April 2008. Notes for Presenters will be available soon.

Accommodation - The official hotel accommodation housing secretariat is:

Rua Garrett, 61 – 3º
1200-203 Lisbon
Portugal
Tel :  +351 21 324 50 40 
Fax:  +351 21 324 50 50
www.aims.pt

Contacts: Rita Montarroio, Rita.Montarroio@aims-international.com

Further information can be found here

Airport – Lisbon International Airport is 7km from the city centre and has daily flights to and from the major European and worldwide cities.  Regular Aerobus services link the airport to downtown Lisbon and Cais do Sodré (every 20 minutes from 0700 to 0900).  Alternatively taxis are available outside the Arrivals and Departures halls.  Passengers who wish to travel by taxi are advised to purchase a voucher from the Turismo de Lisboa counter in the terminal building. The price of the voucher depends on the distance of the trip or length of time, as well as on the type of service required.

For further information regarding the airport, please refer to http://www.ana.pt/portal/page/portal/ANA/AEROPORTO_LISBOA/

Awards and Prizes - For further information regarding the Awards and Prizes for submitted Abstracts please click here.

B

Banks and exchange
Official opening hours of banks in Lisbon are generally from 08:30-16:30, Monday to Friday, sometimes with a break for lunch.  Some city and tourist resort banks also open on Saturday, often 09:00–16:00.

C

CME Credits - For further information regarding CME and EACCME accreditation please click here

Climate - The climate in Lisbon is temperate offering the best of both the Atlantic and Mediterranean sea breezes all year round.   Light clothes are recommended.  Average temperatures in September -  17-26° C (62-79° F).

Credit Cards - Most hotels, restaurants and shops in Lisbon accept major credit cards.

Currency – Euro €

D

Dates - The dates of the 22nd EACTS Annual Meeting are 13-17 September 2008.

Disclaimer - The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) cannot accept any liability for death, injury, or any loss, cost or expense suffered or incurred by any person if such loss is caused or results from the act, default or omission of any person other than an employee or agent of EACTS. In particular, the EACTS cannot accept any liability for losses arising from the provision or non-provision of services provided by hotel companies or transport operators. Nor can EACTS accept liability for losses suffered by reason of war including threat of war, riot and civil strife, terrorist activity, natural disaster, weather, flood, drought, technical, mechanical or electrical breakdown within any premises visited by delegates and/or partners in connection with the Annual Meeting, industrial disputes, governmental action, regulation or technical problems which may affect the services provide in connection with the Annual Meeting.  EACTS is not able to give any warranty that a particular person will appear as a speaker or panellist.

E

EACTS Executive Secretariat
Registration, Scientific Secretariat, Exhibition Management, Sponsorship
3 Park Street
Windsor
Berks SL4 1LU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1753 832166
Fax: +44 (0) 1753 620407
Email: info@eacts.co.uk

Electricity - The power supply in Lisbon is 220/380 volts at a frequency of 50 MHz. All sockets follow European standards. To use American-type plugs, a 220-volt transformer should be used together with an adapter plug.

Exhibition - The Exhibition is open to pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of medical and surgical equipment, software equipment and scientific publishers. The Exhibition will take place in Halls 1 & 2 of the Lisbon Congress Centre (CCL) and will be open as follows:

Exhibitors - for further information please see Technical Exhibition

H

Housing - The official hotel accommodation secretariat for the 22nd EACTS Annual Meeting is AIMS International Lisbon.  Further information can be found here.

I

Insurance and Liability - participants are encouraged to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.  EACTS cannot be held responsible for any personal injury, loss, damage, accident to private property or additional expenses incurred as a result of delays or changes in air, rail, sea, road or other services, strikes, sickness, weather and any other cause.

L

Letters of Invitation - Letters of invitation required to meet the administrative and legal regulations of some countries are available to participants upon request to the Executive Secretariat. Please provide name, address and other relevant information including email address. Such letters should not, however, be construed as a financial commitment on the part of the Organisers.

Lunch and Refreshments - Coffee and tea will be available in the exhibition area during the official Meeting breaks and will be included in the registration fee.  Lunch is not included in the registration fee.  However, there will be catering points in the exhibition area where delegates may purchase food and drinks.

O

Official Language - The official language of the meeting is English.

Opening Hours - The Annual Techno-College of EACTS will be held from 08:00-18:00 on Saturday 13 September.  Postgraduate Courses will be held on Sunday 14 September from 08:30 to 16:30.  The main scientific programme will commence at 08:30 on Monday 15 September and end at 12:00 on Wednesday 17 September.  Breakfast Sessions will be held on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 September from 07:30-08:30.

Registration and information desks will be open in the Ground Floor Foyer of the Congress Centre at the following times:

To avoid unnecessary delay, you are strongly recommended to register and collect Meeting documentation on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September if possible.

P

Passports and Visas - Visas are not necessary for citizens of EU countries, the USA, Canada and many other countries.  Check passport and visa requirements in due time before you leave.  For information on visa requirements, please contact your nearest Portuguese Embassy.   Useful website:
http://www.theschengenoffice.com/portugal_tourist_visa.html

For any other queries regarding passports, identity cards and visas necessary for your trip, please contact your travel agency or airline directly.

Postgraduate Courses - Six postgraduate courses will be held on Sunday 14  September  on Adult Cardiac Surgery, General Thoracic Surgery, Congenital Heart Surgery, Endovascular Surgery, Perfusion and Basic Science.

Presenters - Notes and Guidelines for presenting at the 22nd EACTS Annual Meeting will be available shortly.

Public Transport – refer to Transport and Travel Information here.

R

Registration – Registration will open on 01 February 2008.  For further information click here

S

Satellite Meetings - For further information on Satellite Meeting opportunities please contact the EACTS Executive Secretariat.

Scientific Programme - The 22nd EACTS Annual Meeting will concentrate on scientific exchanges in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery and will be presented in oral, poster and video sessions, in addition to 'hands-on' demonstrations of heart specimens.

Shopping hours - Shops are generally open from 09:00-13:00 and from 15:00-19:00 on weekdays and close at 09:00-13:00 on Saturdays.  There are also a number of shopping centres which are usually open until 22:00-24:00.

Speakers - Notes and Guidelines for presenting at the 22nd EACTS Annual Meeting to follow shortly.

T

Taxis - Taxis in Lisbon can be ordered by phone, hailed in the street or found at authorised taxi ranks in town, at the airport and at main stations.  The safest way to travel by taxi is to purchase a taxi voucher in advance, the price of which will depend on the service provided.  Normal urban taxi fare is €2 + .40 per km (.80 per km via telephone booking).  Nights, weekends and holidays - €2.50 + .48 per km (.80 per km via telephone booking).

Technical Exhibition - Pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of technical equipment and software, as well as publishers of related scientific books and journals are invited to participate in the Trade Exhibition held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. For more information click here.

Techno-College - 13 September 2008.  The Annual Techno-College is an integral part of EACTS and will update you on the latest developments in the field of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.  For further information click here.

Tours - information on Inclusive Tours and Optional Tours (coming soon).

Transport & Travel Information - click here

Travel Passes - The “7 Colinas” travel pass card can be ordered in advance by completing the relevant section of the registration form.  The card includes a microchip that can be credited with five days of unlimited trips on BOTH bus and subway.   It can also be used on the elevators/funiculars within the city.  2008 rates still to be confirmed but it is anticipated that the cost per card will be approximately €16-17.

V

Venue - Lisboa Congress Centre
Centro De Congressos De Lisboa (CCL)
Praça das Indústrias
1300-307 Lisbon
Portugal

Tel: +351 21 365 20 06
Fax: +351 21 364 42 30
www.lisboacc.pt

Visas - see Passports and Visas. 

W

Weather – see climate